The term porch pirate is used to refer to people who steal packages from other people’s homes.Some people might simply have a compulsion towards theft that drives them to seek out the thrill of stealing. Unfortunately, there was a steep rise in the number of porch pirate incidents in 2020 during the pandemic.
What can I do if I catch a porch pirate?
What to do if a package is stolen from your porch
- Step 1: Track the package.
- Step 2: Check if your neighbors saw it or held onto it for you.
- Step 3: Contact the seller or retailer.
- Step 4: File a claim with the shipping company.
- Step 5: Use the purchase protection features on your credit card.
Why are porch Pirates a thing?
With the exponential rise in Americans who use online shopping, more packages are being delivered than ever before.According to Value Penguin, 18 percent of consumers in the United States have become porch pirate victims since the Covid-19 pandemic.
How do porch Pirates work?
This Frisbee-like device is a virtual security guard. Connect it to your WiFi and position it on your doorstep, instructing delivery people to place packages on top of it. If a would-be porch pirate attempts to steal the package or the Package Guard device itself, a loud internal siren will be activated.
Is being a porch pirate illegal?
California lawmaker introduces ‘porch piracy’ bill to make package theft a felony. SANTEE, Calif.Current law provides that a theft of a package from the porch or entryway of someone’s home is considered a misdemeanor.
Are porch Pirates common?
Porch pirates are fairly common.
According to the 2019 Package Theft Statistics Report by C+R Research, 36% of Americans have experienced package theft at least once, and an additional 56% said that it had happened to someone they know.
How do you stop a pirate porch?
Take advantage of package tracking
The simplest way to avoid porch pirates is to use this tracking information to retrieve your package once it’s delivered. If you’re not able to be home during the delivery, you can also have someone else keeping an eye on your doorstep that day.
How much do porch pirates make?
While those earning $80,000 to $99,999 were tied for last place in regards to how often they had packages stolen, they were in the top spot in regards to the value of those items, with the average package being stolen worth $266.18.
What state has the most porch Pirates?
The top spot for larceny is D.C., with 3,775 crimes reported per 100,000 residents. It’s followed by Massachusetts and Idaho. Georgia is among the 14 states that have passed or are considering laws to penalize porch piracy. Georgia’s law went into effect in July.
How many packages get stolen every day?
The number has grown by 7 percent since 2019. That means that potentially two out of five home deliveries are taken from the delivery point. Some of the latest reports state that 1.7 million packages are stolen every day.
Can you call the police on porch Pirates?
Here are a few tips on what to do if someone steals your package from your porch: File a police report. If you’ve had something stolen off your porch, your first item of business should be to file a police report.You can also use your police report to file an insurance claim.
Do cameras stop porch Pirates?
Set Up Outdoor Security Cameras
A doorbell camera is a very effective tool in the fight against porch pirates, but if your packages are dropped off somewhere other than your front porch, or the view from your door is heavily obscured, you may want to consider some outdoor security cameras.
Do cameras deter porch Pirates?
Domestic violence also increases around the holidays, he said. To prevent porch piracy, Holt recommended doorbell cameras, which deter thieves and record information if a package is stolen.
Can you pepper spray a porch pirate?
Now we’re going one step further, allowing these same customers to take their own shot at porch poachers. Our new pepper spray feature is activated through the Kangaroo app, which enables Doorbell Camera owners to take action whether at home or remote.
Who is liable for porch Pirates?
The key parties involved in getting a package to a consumer are the Seller, the Delivery Company, and the Buyer. Unfortunately, if the package cannot be retrieved, there are no clear laws that put the onus on any one party.
Do package thieves get caught?
However, even with cameras in place, the majority of package thieves get away with their crimes. Those who do get caught usually face only minor charges unless they can be linked to more than one stolen package.
What city has the most porch Pirates?
San Francisco held the top spot for the prior three years. Colorado posted the 13th highest personal property theft rates nationwide with 1,858 thefts per 100,000 people in 2019, a separate analysis by CCTV Camera World, a security system company, found.
How common is porch theft?
Only 16% of those in generation X and just 12% of boomers have experienced this modern-day phenomenon. With the notable exception of those in the highest income bracket ($120k p.a.), it looks like the more you earn, the more likely you are to have a package stolen.
Who pays when packages are stolen?
Who is responsible if a thief steals your packages: the retailer, the carrier or you? ANSWER: Typically, you’re out of luck, unless the retailer decides to be generous. Delivery companies say they’re not responsible for reimbursement if the package was successfully delivered to the correct house.
How much money does Amazon lose on stolen packages?
As Amazon drives more shopping online, Prime members say they receive on average 51 packages a year, and one in three Americans report having at least one package stolen, resulting in $25 million of lost goods and services every day, according to C+R Research.
Is seller responsible for stolen package?
Liability of Lost Packages
On most marketplaces, the seller is responsible for the package until it reaches the buyer. This means that as a seller, even though the package is out of your hands you are responsible for it until the tracking states Delivered or Notice Left.
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